July 2018
FUSTERLANDIA HAVANA CUBA
Just outside of Central Havana, Cuban artist Jose Fuster has transformed his home and the small run down fishing neighbourhood of Jaimaniatas, into a masterpiece of intricate tilework and a kaleidoscope of colours. Jose Fuster is one of the most celebrated artists in Cuba. Classically trained at the Ecuela Nacional de Instructores de Art in Havana, his work has been part of over 600 collective and individual exhibitions not just in Cuba but around the world. Fuster’s debt to modernist greats like Gaudi and Picasso are palpable everywhere in this wonderland. Cubist elements are evident through the faces and figures of his mosaic creations and the influence that Cuba’s geographical positioning amongst the Caribbean Islands can be felt extensively, portraying its culture and people from palm trees and fish to the yellows and blues of the myriad of beaches along the vast Caribbean coastline, the results are truly spectacular.
JOSE FUSTER
A labour of love that has been driven by Fuster since moving into the area in 1975 beginning with his own home, “Casa De Fuster”. He said on moving into the the neighbourhood 45 years ago “ When I got here, my house was in wood, small. So I decided to do something about it. I started building my dream” And what a dream it was. Every inch of his house was soon covered, stretching from the roof to garden and through to the pool, all transformed into a mosaic covered labyrinth. Not content with stopping here he moved into the streets and surrounding buildings no surface was left unturned. From archways to fences, post boxes, bus stops, park benches, fronts of buildings, people of the suburb then began to open their own homes up to be transformed. Today so far 80 homes have been “Fustered.”
The project now expands to encompass the entire Jaimanitas neighbourhood. From what had been a struggling fishing village has now been turned into an artist’s paradise. The neighbourhood is a buzz with travelers from all around the globe who flock to admire this whimsical world. It has seen a new generation of artists spawned inspired by the surroundings they have grown up in and created a space for cultural exchange with international designers and artists.
Fusterlandia is still growing. Its creator can be found most days in his street side studio, painting or designing what will be transformed next. His grand plan is to create the biggest mural in the world and that is what he is working towards at present. His thoughts have moved also to the future, now 73 he contemplates what will happen when he is no longer around. He hopes Fusterlandia will continue long after he is gone, with other ambitious artists picking up where he eventually leaves off.
